Honorary degrees recognize leaders

Honorary degrees recognize leaders

Four honorary degree recipients to be celebrated at fall convocation for outstanding contributions on a national or international scale.

By Anne Craig

October 4, 2017

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Queen鈥檚 University has revealed its honorary degree recipients for fall convocation and the list includes an author, a health educator, a businessman and a world-renowned pianist.

To receive an honorary degree, the recipient must have made an outstanding contribution on a national or international scale. The contribution may have advanced the recipient鈥檚 field of work or discipline, or been to the benefit of community, society, or the university.

The honorary degree recipients this year include:

John Rae

John A. Rae, Doctor of Laws LLD - Mr. Rae studied politics and economics at Queen鈥檚, was the editor of the Queen's Journal, and Chair Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of 成人大片. Mr. Rae has made significant contributions to Canadian politics. He served as executive assistant to the Right Hon. Jean Chr茅tien from 1967 to 1971. Mr. Chr茅tien entered the Cabinet in 1967, becoming Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in 1968. Mr. Rae was also the national campaign chairman for Mr. Chr茅tien and coordinated several of the Liberal Party鈥檚 federal leadership campaigns. In 1971, he joined the Power Corporation of Canada and in 1991 became its executive vice-president.   Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 10 am.

Oliver Jones

Oliver Theophilus Jones, Doctor of Laws LLD - A Juno award winner, Mr. Jones made his debut as a pianist at age five and made his first night club appearance at nine. In his 77-year career, he has released an impressive 25 albums and has been recognized with numerous awards including the Order of Quebec, the Order of Canada, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Award. He also received the Governor General鈥檚 Performing Arts Award, Canada鈥檚 highest honour in the performing arts. Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 2:30 pm.

Debbie Docherty

Debbie Docherty, Doctor of Science DSc -  Debbie Docherty studied at McMaster University and spent much of her career at Hotel Dieu Hospital. Late in her career she completed her Master of Social Work degree at McGill University. The experience of living with multiple sclerosis from age 38 and retirement at 55 allowed more time to engage in mentoring Queen鈥檚 students in occupational therapy, nursing, medicine and physiotherapy. The Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice included Debbie in the planning and delivery of a wide range of significant educational events for all Faculty of Health Science students. Dr. Docherty also worked internationally with the Queen鈥檚 International Center for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation. Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 2:30 pm.

David Bouchard

David Bouchard, Doctor of Laws LLD - As a M茅tis, Mr. Bouchard knew nothing of his roots growing up but through the process of writing, learned more about his heritage. Many of his books center around Indigenous issues and the journey of discovery. The recipient of numerous national and international literary accolades, including the Governor General鈥檚 Literary Award, and the Silver Birch Award, and whose iconic work 鈥If You鈥檙e Not From The Prairie鈥 has been included in Maclean's Magazine鈥檚 list of the top 20 children鈥檚 books in the history of Canada. Mr. Bouchard鈥檚 love of reading and writing fills his daily life. He writes wherever he happens to be at the time. Thursday, Nov. 16 at 2:30 pm.